Although I have been remiss in being a proper blogger and haven’t been posting diligently, most of the others have been. Now on Saturday night I have a feeling of non-productivity so I have tried to get something done. But…(dadgum buts)…I can’t get any clear thoughts out so I am going to try to pass some other folk’s creativity along. Bear with me for a bit and I will get my wind back. For now follow these links for news and commentary of the week.

Last Sunday The Political Cat told us her opinion about the links between Cheney, Bush and Nouri al Maliki. Even though she has been changing routines with her meds she was able to point out the costs of this war in lives, money and extending tours for our troops and how the leaders are behind it.

ViceZilla brings us the stink from San Francisco, the birthplace of my favorite band the Grateful Dead, where they are considering naming a fitting monument to George W.Bush.

Stephen was drinking liberally in New Milford when he passed along rumors of Hillary suspending her campaign and added the beer back to his whiskey with a link to a funny video called Mrs. C.

Buzz gave a moving non Believers tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King over at Buzz Daly Sez.

The Grateful Dissident talked about the “Million Man March” in Iraq.

Alicia who lives somewhere near the Last Left Turn Before Hooterville, shared what they are talking about in the beauty shop.

Fade over in the House Of The Rising Sons brings us links to Montel calling for real support for our troops especially the wounded ones.

Gordon with the Alternative Brain brings us a letter from Iraq.

Dusty shows us its her right to be left of center by showing us pictures of Georgie playing by himself.

I wonder if he is shunned because of his ineptitude dealing with the dignitaries. Do you think maybe he is also alone because of the fact he supported the liars who led America and the rest of the world into this huge debacle that has cost so many lives, limbs and dollars? I think the fact the death toll is so high in Iraq because of the lies was the reason he was greeted the way he was when he threw the first pitch of the season for the Washington National’s last Sunday. I love this footage as I believe the sentiment shown will also be shown in November to Senator John McSame.

The American College Of Physicians, with 124,000 members, are calling on the government to end the arrests of patients who use medical marijuana. They are asking Michigan voters to pass a bill in November barring the persecution of people in pain from disease or treatment of disease.

This and more on the story, complete with links, can be found at Cannibisnews.com.

I was surprised and confused last night when I saw the nomination for my blog in a post at Rotus. I first ran into Clark over there during Blogroll Amnesty Day. His site was great and informative plus he runs a book review site, as well as another blog that reviews music.

I read his blog often and was humbled that he would nominate me for an Excellent rating here in Blog World.

It seems that one of the conditions of this award nomination is to nominate 10 blogs myself. I started looking through my blogroll, as well as looking around to see what others I could add when I ran across another of my blogging hero’s post of his 2 awards for excellence. I was nominated for another award by Stephen over at Drinking Liberally In New Milford.

His Connecticut based blog was the first blogroll exchange I had after I started my humble site on Christmas Eve. I have gotten a lot of inspiration and knowledge from him if he knows it or not.

So in keeping with the tradition I had to come up with not ten but twenty nominations to pass along. I would have gladly given my top 2 nominations to them but I’m not sure they would have wanted to have to go into finding 10 more blogs to nominate so I guess they will have to just receive my thanks and know I will always be Gratefully Deadicated to keeping their blog sites in the forefront here on the big rig of insanity.

Now trying to find sites that are worthy of this award is easy. There are so many great opinions and writers out in Blog World it is hard to narrow the field down to just 20. There are political sites, humor sites and ones that promote the legalization of medical marijuana. Music sites, photo sites and just junk sites that make me laugh. I don’t know where to start.

I think the blogs that deal with the “War On Terror” and bringing our troops home while ending this stupid thing are my highest priorities so I will concentrate on them and try to keep this whole thing fair. Now the tough part. Narrowing the field down will be a task for sure. So here goes. Bear with me in my struggle.

In no particular order or level of priority they are;

Redneck Liberal

The man is out for surgery right now but he deserves this award based on the presentation and content of his blog site. I visit his site often and read his sometimes hilarious look at scary issues. (Get Well Soon)

The Political Cat

Obviously the love for cats can’t overshadow the love for our world and mankind.

ViceZilla

This blog proves the old Grateful Dead adage, “Sometimes you get shown the light in the strangest of places if you look at it right”.

My View Of “It”

Carol’s place for peace. Full of humor and political insight with a womans slant.

Clarks Picks

Reviews and stuff about music from blues to jazz. probably some other styles thrown in. I know this site brings me tuneage I have either forgotten about or never heard. Take a music break. Give it a listen.

Ted’s Soapbox 2.0

Along with an almost daily update from Ted’s life this blog takes you into the world as he sees it.

Guys From Area 51

Being from Roswell, NM myself I thought the name of this blog was interesting. (the Air Force moved the bodies and wreckage from here to Nevada after the controversial crash in 1947. many think area 51 is in Roswell when it is actually just north of Las Vegas, Nevada) After reading it I realized they were as serious about our world as I am. Looking at it through shattered glasses they present the news in an unique way.

Alternate Brain

When I first linked to this site I wondered about the camoflauge and soldier oriented images. But with their military service in mind these guys are the ones who have the most to say. And they say it well.

Obsidian Wings

The winged folks claim to be the voice of moderation…I’ll let you decide if that is true.

Let me know if you think they are right.

Morningsideways View

How the world looks from New York. Educated and opinionated he writes it as he views it.

There are the first ten. Wheewww. That was time consuming yet not tedious. I looked at articles and video’s while I was getting this done. It is much more entertaining than I thought it would be. Actually I am enjoying the latest posts while I am making the decisions. Here’s ten more.

Grateful Dissident

Deadheads were sometimes politically outspoken even before Bob Wier and the remaining Dead endorsed Obama. This head’s views are open and are sprinkled with Jerrylicious Grateful Dead videos throughout this informative blog.

A Poetic Justice

Using poetry this blog begs folks not to burn the flag. Just wash it.

FreeDetainees

Linda brings those forgotten victims of the administration back into the light. Our mainstream media and even the Blog World has seemed to have forgotten the prisoners of “The War On Terror”.

The Daily Scare

A think tank of diverse writers contribute to this well presented blog. Lots of good stuff on here.

Left Wing Nut Job

Claiming the right to be left of center it is. Wishing I sometimes had the guts to shout the things they do.

The Liberal Doomssayer

Opening our eyes to impending doom…well, let’s fix it then.

the s.n.a.f.u. principle

Situation Normal. These posts are far from fucked up.

House Of The Rising Sons

Constitutional literalism at it’s finest.

I Was Just Wondering

After discovering this blog lately I have been wondering as well. It’s a newly found daily read for me.

Last Left Turn Before Hooterville

I clicked on this one from Drinking Liberally a while back. The fact that the author has a Great Dane mix caught my eye. As many readers know I just lost my Dane a few weeks ago so my tears from my loss clouded my reading. I kept reading though and was impressed this busy woman would have time to do such a great site. 2 cats, 4 kids and a Dalmation/Dane are a lot of work. Then add the husband factor…well maybe I should have put her at the top of the list.

Like I said though, No order or preference went into the list.

Again I thank Stephen and Clark for awarding these to me and I hope to live up to their expectations.

With legal weed on my mind I delved into this cool blog after coming across it Stumbling Upon it. I like it and added it to my blogroll and hope you check it out.

Although it is not all about the wonderful plant, it is definitely the cannablog.

After showing his ass before the Iowa and New Hampshire votes were cast President Bill Clinton quietened down for a bit. He has been appearing in public more lately after a brief hiatus. It seems he is becoming visible again in a much more subdued form. The dutiful husband form. The under the thumb form. The FORMER president form.

But the real Bill story is coming from Santa Fe it seems. The democratic front runners are courting the man who dropped from the race January 10. The man who can help them win. The one person who has the right experience in foreign relations. New Mexico’s Governor Bill Richardson.

Bill Richardson’s record on a local, national and international level is tremendous. He worked in the Bill Clinton administration as an Ambassador to the U.N. as well as 14 years as congressman. He was our Secretary of Energy under Clinton. While serving our country he visited many countries around the world promoting good relations with “troublesome” leaders. He did such a good job in the old days with leaders like Saddam Hussein that George W Bush sent him to North Korea last year to deal with Kim Jong il and the nuclear crisis. He came away with success. N. Korea agreed to stop producing weapons and invited the U N to send in inspectors.

In New Mexico he pushed for a medical marijuana law that was shot down 6 times before it passed on the 7th try. Although the Feds are giving growers and patients grief he is pushing for less federal involvement on the laws of our nation. Maybe if he had a position high in the federal government the D.E.A. and other cops would start leaving individuals alone. When asked how the MMJ laws would affect his presidential campaign he said it didn’t matter as “it was the right thing to do”.
He has made law here that gives incentives to homeowners and businesses that go with alternative energy to power their electrical needs. Passed bills requiring the big power companies to use solar or wind for a growing percentage of their output.

He has demanded an end to the US occupation of Iraq. The return of our troops from the face of danger is a high priority in his political opinion. With 3970 American soldiers killed there so far he strongly supports the troops by calling for their rapid return.

President Clinton watched the Super Bowl with the Governor a few weeks ago. Mrs. Clinton stays in close touch with him. Barack Obama calls him often, on the average of every 3 days. They both have told him that they need him. His endorsement would swing so many votes their way and they both know his support would make the candidacy, and the election, theirs.

Richardson has said he is not going to put the offer of possibly being a Vice Presidential running mate or a Secretary of State appointment aside. He is staying in touch with both Obama and Clinton during their campaigns and is remaining friendly and non-controversial. No endorsements yet and thats probably a good thing.

If he were to become the VP nominee for either he would bring a lot to their campaign. Obama’s campaign would benefit from the experience and maturity he would bring. Clinton’s organization would be better off with his diplomatic attitude diverting the publics attention from the silly stuff her husband spews. The nation would be much better off with him as our Vice President what with his “progressive” ideas and policies. As Secretary of State he would be an asset to help heal the broken and bruised image of America the rest of the world has.

So with these thoughts, and others, in mind I am now going to make the Alien Trucker’s endorsement in this presidential race. I am saying, on the record, I am endorsing whoever Bill Richardson endorses. Especially if he is chosen as their running mate.

Does it really matter who I support? I don’t guess so but at least you know how I feel.

Fun and stoney cookies can come from using the weed butter recipe I posted a couple of days ago. Used as medicine these cookies give a whole body high to relieve pain. Follow your medical professionals recomendations.

Cookie Ingredients:

Frosting Ingredients:

Combine 1 cup weed butter, sugar and egg in large bowl. Beat at medium speed, scraping bowl often, until creamy. Add orange juice and vanilla; mix well. Reduce speed to low; add flour and baking powder. Beat until well mixed.

Divide dough into thirds; wrap in plastic food wrap. Refrigerate until firm (2 to 3 hours).

Heat oven to 400°F. Roll out dough on lightly floured surface, one-third at a time (keeping remaining dough refrigerated), to 1/8 to 1/4-inch thickness. Cut with 3-inch cookie cutters. Place 1 inch apart onto ungreased cookie sheets. Bake for 6 to 10 minutes or until edges are lightly browned. Cool completely.

Combine powdered sugar, 1/3 cup weed butter and 1 teaspoon vanilla in small bowl. Beat at low speed, scraping bowl often and adding enough milk for desired spreading consistency. Frost and decorate cooled cookies as desired.

Recipe Tip
If you use a 4 to 5-inch cookie cutter, recipe will yield approximately 2 dozen cookies.

Butter Recipe

First off, wintertime is a good time to cook goodies. The oven heats the house nicely and many memories of gramma’s house come wafting via the smells of chocolate, cinnamon or fruit. So many recipes that taste good can also be medicine. If the ingredients are right.

I advocate the use of marijuana for medicine. Especially if your doctor says so. Smoking isn’t always feasible so when its time for you to take your meds eating it can be a good option. It can be eaten many ways but making butter is the most versatile. It can be used to cook with, spread on toast and drizzled over popcorn.

I have used butter for years in making brownies that seem to be a hit at parties. After my injury in September of 2000 I supplemented the pig drugs the doctors pushed with weed. Mostly smoking but often with food. The butter is a great way to get through the day because eating it gives a body high as well as the good head.

When cooking it is important to remember not to eat too much until you know how you react to the potency. Also it takes more time to effect you than when you smoke so be aware that you don’t eat more than a little and wait about 45 minutes to an hour before you eat more. Never eat a lot if you have something to do later. It might not ever get done.

I mix the butter in any recepie that calls for butter, vegetable oil or margarine. I substitute the oil with melted butter and cakes, brownies and other things come out fine. It is good with salad dressings that use oil. It is good on pancakes and biscuits. heck, it’s good everywhere.

Pot is a fat soluable drug that bonds well with the fats in butter. It can be used in vegetable oils and margerine but doesn’t do well in fat free types of spreads.

Here’s how I make it;

Slowly melt a pound of butter in a nonstick pan over a low heat. Stir it often to prevent scorching.

Take an ounce of good buds and/or leaf. save your sticks and seeds as they also have THC and oils in them that contain other cannibinoids. Grind the weed into a fine powder in a coffee grinder sticks seeds and all.
When the butter is melted stir the powder in. Over a low heat simmer the mixture for at least a half hour stirring often. Longer is much better and you can see the mixture go from yellow to green to an almost black/green. Thats when it is best.

Remove from heat source and let cool. This next step involves handling it and it WILL BE HOT!!! so WAIT TIL IT COOLS TO PROCEED!!!!!!

Place a piece of cheese cloth in a bowl. WHEN THE MIXTURE IS COOLED pour the butter into the bowl. carefully lift the corners of the cloth to form a “Bag” to keep the powder in. Squeeze and resqueeze the cloth straining the butter into the bowl while keeping the powder in the cloth. Throw the greasy cloth and powder away.

Refrigerate the butter. melting small portions for use in recipes or soften it for spreading.

I will post good recipes and tips in the days to come.

Get the butter ready and check back soon. If you just can’t wait go get your favorite brownie mix that uses oil and substitute the amount of oil with the butter.

Enjoy.

 Machines have been a boon to the modern world. From small ones to open that can of beans to complicated computer operated monsters that load ocean going ships machines make our lives easier. In Japan there are many machines but the vending machine is everywhere. From soft drinks to blue jeans it can be had out of a machine.

A Los Angeles dispensary has moved forward to bring the hassles and costs of medical marijuana down by moving into the 21st century. Starting Monday they offer 5 types of weed in vending machines. It’s not like running up and buying a candy bar and a Coke because various safeguards have been implemented. Your prescription card must be inserted and a picture will be taken as you make the purchase.

They claim that the ease of purchase will bring costs down by cutting employees needed to dispense the drug and I don’t really like that side of it but the convenience factor is acceptable. Making medicine available to terminally ill patients quicker may help more than one. No long lines. No waiting till the people ahead of them get theirs filled before they can get relief.  Sometimes though some folks want to talk to a real person just to have human contact. With a machine you just don’t get that personal service.

When they let the employees go I hope their severance package is kind.

Today Bill Richardson is supposed to announce he will drop from the race. His bid for the presidency has not gone well and although he came in fourth in both Iowas caucus and New Hampshires primary it was a distant fourth. I am really bummed from this news.

As a resident of the state he governs as well as an admirer of his past service to our country I hoped his ideas and ideals would take a front seat. He is the first political candidate I have ever felt strongly enough about to contribute money to the campaign. The first big name politician I have really admired. Even when his ideas weren’t popular he stuck with them.

He stuck with the conviction that compassionate medical marijuana should be available even when the state legislators shot down the idea 6 times. Finally he compromised a bit and got the bill passed. The compromise consisted of not allowing farmers grow weed for profit and the state would grow the crops. Or the patient could grow their own. Not a bad compromise considering that MMJ patients would be facing criminal charges under the old law. When asked how he felt his stance on medicine for very sick people would affect his bid for president he answered that he really didn’t care. It was the right thing to do. I like that attitude.

Looking around the state of New Mexico you can see windmills and solar panels every where. With tax breaks and other benefits the state has cleaner sources of power than before and more on the way. This came under his leadership.

His call to bring the troops home from Iraq within a year didn’t fit into the war machines plan to leave them there until at least 2013. All of the front runners on both sides of this two party system are going with the machines plan so they wont really be battled by Bushco as badly.

With his record in foreign policy and the hands on way he approached problematic leaders of the world he would have been the most qualified person for the job. He got stuff done in Korea, Iraq, Iran and many other places. He fought with words and won. Unlike the current policy of shoot, bomb and have no chance of winning.

I am really saddened by the way the frontrunners have been portrayed by the teevee media. Calling some rock stars and others comeback kids they completely ignored the reality based campaign of Richardson. I wish he had gotten the recognition he deserved.

Who knows? Maybe Barack or Hillary will ask him to be their running mate. V.P. would set him up to really help change the direction of our country.  Set him up to be the president after next.
I can only hope.

If you have read this before…gee…you really get around.
Sale days at the Roswell stockyards are held twice a week on Tuesday and Saturday. Ranchers from all around bring their cattle and sheep in on the night before. Lots of noise downtown on those nights. Trucks roaring, cowhands yelling and livestock bellowing in protest can be heard all around downtown. The cacaphony of money.

Walking at night is one of my favorite things. I’ll walk even when offered a ride most of the time. I would rather walk than drive and driving is my passion. Roswell is a fantastic place to live when it comes to walking.
The days are usually warm and while the nights get cool I just bundle up and go. I go to the store, pay my bills or just stroll for that elusive “alone time”.
The other night I went to slip my rent into the mail slot at my landlords office. It was late and the only traffic that was out were the marked cop cars. And very few of them.

I probably saw the same one over and over. A scruffy looking guy like me draws their attention so they keep a good eye on me both directions on Main St. Probably keeps me out of trouble as their presence keeps the wierdo’s from buggin’ me.
Monday nights aren’t too busy in Roswell and downtown is deserted except for the sleeping homeless folks and a rare car headed home from the bar or McDonalds. I usually take a small joint to smoke before I head home. The walk downtown sometimes makes the pain greater. Sitting on Main Street is safe because I could swallow what I have before they could stop their car. This night I walked to the plaza across from the courthouse. Looking at the statue of John Chisolm (of the infamous Chisolm Trail) and his horse I figgered that with his protection I could get by without being noticed. I fired the joint up and sat on the wall under the statue..
The sculpture is great. The detail is so fine I could almost feel the heat from the horses nostrils while the commanding look in John’s eyes burned through me. Since he died 50 plus years before our government made a plant illegal he wasn’t judging my actions, just watching me. Judging my character and strength. Seeing that my attitude was something he could work with.
Sitting, smoking and daydreaming I suddenly became aware of sound of cattle bawling. The sounds of many hooves pounding the ground came at me faster than I could expect. Cows weren’t supposed to be on Main Street. The sale barn is way over on Garden. But sure enough there they were coming from the south. Rumbling up the narrow dirt road.
Wait!! Main street is 5 lanes wide plus a parking lane on both sides.
The buildings and the courthouse were gone. I could see the small shops and modest houses all around me and nothing was familiar.
Ragged looking cowboys riding tired looking horses of all colors were leading the way. The herd of about 300 head of cattle were being driven up the trail by quite a few of these guys. Their yelps blended with all of the other sounds. I wondered why the drive would be happening so late. A voice answered my question.
“Lookin’ for a job?”
I looked around and saw Mr. Chisolm himself.
“The cook quit in Artesia.” he said. If you can cook my men are hungry. They wont stop til its suppertime and I need somebody to feed ‘em.”
“Where’s the chuck wagon?” I asked.
He pointed to a small wagon being drawn by a couple of mules.I headed over. He called out and the cowhands started getting the cattle settled down. The watering pond was a few hundred yards up the trail.
I climbed inside and in the dim light started cooking. A huge wood stove was blazing and the meat was already prepared for cooking. Bags of potatoes and onions were in one corner. Flour and other ingredients were in small barrells and beans were boiling on the stove. I started making a meal these guys would enjoy before their well needed nap.
I made tortillias. Spicing and simmering a huge pot of meat I wondered how I would serve this concoction without a decent salsa. There werent any tomatos or chili’s on board but the shopkeeper from the grocery store brought out a few jars he had in the back room.

Out side the cowboys were settling in around a fire. The food was ready to be served and Mr. Chisolm helped me carry it out. I looked at the salsa jars before I carried them out. It came from San Antonio. What a relief. We’ve all seen the Pace commercials.
Every one ate a bunch commenting on the FACT that I know how to put a good feed out.There was some wine in an old box and the bottles started going around.A deck of cards came out and soon I was in a game being played with unfamiliar coins. I had gotten some of the old money somehow.We played a few hands then a few girls came from the hotel and the party really started. I grabbed my old guitar and started singing ballads I’ve grown fond of. “El Paso by Marty Robbins, some Hank Snow and of course The Grateful Dead. All were appropriate to the situation.
I strummed a few notes of “Jack Straw” and started singing.
“We can share the women. We can share the wine. We can share what we got of yours ’cause we done shared all of mine…”
The sound of a slowing patrol car brought me forward 150 years and I was both happy and disappointed. The cop recognized me and waved.
John Chisolm stared at us blankly.
The cowboys were gone.
I’m sure they made it to Santa Fe.

Undressing for bed a couple of hours later I found some old coins spilling from my pockets. Lots of them. I had won, obviously.
I went home with everything.

Title and lyrics used are from “Jack Straw” , Robert Hunter and Bob Weir. 1971

The people of Iowa went and voted in their local primary caucus. They were the first to choose who they wanted to go forward in the campaigns and eventually become president.  They didn’t really have much to choose from. With the ultra right wing neocons in the Republican bunch and the same good ol’ boy offering from the Democratic bunch I was amazed to see record turnouts at the caucus polls. I have been of the frame of thought that the theft of the last 2 presidential elections would make the general public to throw up their hands and say, “Whats the use?’.

Maybe the scandals caused the people of the United States  to wake up and realize that their voice can be heard if they actually speak up in the polling booths. Maybe this time the votes of the poor and people of color wont be cast aside. Maybe this time we have a little hope.

Out of all of them I would like to see a Richardson/Kucinich ticket but that doesn’t seem possible since they both want to bring our troops home from Iraq and that isn’t in the war machine’s best interest. The Halliburton, General Motors, General Electric interests are too invested in reaping profits and there is just no way they will let the kids quit dying if it cuts into their pockets. Besides Richardson is pushing for alternative energy and the oil and coal industries will try to stifle that.

Bill has done great things for the state of New Mexico with his energy and medicine policies. The laws give tax breaks to individuals and companies who power their buildings with solar or wind power. Big breaks for the electricity providers too. He fought for compassionate medical marijuana laws and even though the NM legislature shot it down 6 times he persued the issue until we became the 12th state to ok weed for therapeutic use and pain relief. The federal government still hasn’t given the thumbs up for the medicine and the Big Pharm will also fight his candidacy.

I hope the trend of more voters actually casting their ballott will extend beyond the borders of Iowa. Even with the slim pickin’s we have to choose from maybe we can take back our government from those who want to follow the same old same old. If this administration doesn’t strip all of our rights by November we may still have a chance.

Maybe we will be lucky this time.

If you don’t speak up how will you be heard?

Since the propaganda of the early thirties caused most Americans to judge marijuana poorly the big pharmaceutical companies have kept those attitudes going. Between the smear campaigns and the hyping of their pills they have been a major force in the disinformation pumped into the publics heads. Along with the government and other corporate influence they have lied about the danger supposedly caused by using mother natures herbs, including marijuana.

Pot has been used as a medicine and intoxicant for thousands of years. When it became outlawed in the U S there were still quite a few users. Some still recognized its therapeutic values but a bunch of them just wanted the buzz. Alcohol is legal but it isn’t everyones choice when it comes down to how they want to party. Weed is a much mellower high and you usually don’t have vomiting or hangovers after smoking a lot of bud. People don’t overdose and die with the natural, unprocessed plant. At most a user sleeps a long time and might miss work or class. While not the best scenario at least they didn’t die. Alcohol poisoning and health problems caused by alcohol kill thousands of people last year. Not 1 recorded death caused by using weed.

In the late 1970’s people started questioning the illegality of a plant much louder. With it’s popularity rising in the ’60’s everyone could see the lies being forced down their throats. Studies were showing the benefits outweighed the risks in treating disease and the side effects of medical treatments. Besides when folks get stoned they are much less likely to fight, crash their cars or become a nusiance. Not so with alcohol.

Big Pharm saw the threat to their drugs which included tranquilizers, anti psycotics and even down to over the counter stomache remedies. If marijuana becomes an acceptible medicine many dollars would be lost for them. So in their interest they fund programs to misinform the public about weed.  Ironically a big part of the funding for Partnership For A Drug Free America comes from drug companies. Bill Mahr once said that if  they could figure out a way to put Pfizer on every leaf weed would become legal in an instant.

Big money is made in other industries as well. The most frightening of these businesses are the rehab industries and the prison systems. Prison systems? Yes. Most states are privatizing their penal systems and the companies that run the new joints make their money from full beds. The taxpayers are still footing the bill but it’s the corporations who profit. Keeping marijuana in a bad light is keeping the cells full.

Over 6 million people have been arrested in the United States since 1990 for marijuana charges. In some states possession is a misdemeanor ticket but in others having a joint will get you 15 or more years.  Alabama has a 10 to 15 year sentence for first offense possession. They have also begun privatizing their prisons. That makes the resistance to changing the laws more understandable. Money talks and bull…well, makes more money.

It is time the American people wake up and demand the truth. Truth has been disguized as fiction and lies have become truth for too many years. Too much like Orwell for me.

I live in one of the 12 states that the voters have recognized the significance of medical marijuana. Before 1936 there was no issue concerning the value of marijuana to people with pain or anxiety. The campaign led by the Dupont Corporation and the Hearst Paper companies to destroy the freedom of Americans to choose their medicine is history many know. If you haven’t heard how weed was demonized and made illegal in the ’30’s I recommend you find a copy of Jack Herer’s book “The Emperor Wears No Clothes” .

The lies and propaganda published in the thirties have carried over into this century. Anti-marijuana laws have put thousands of people in jail for possession of a plant or the flowers from that plant. These laws keep putting folks in prison and allow the government to steal their houses, cars and livelihoods. Even in states where the laws have been changed to allow sick people to benefit from the medicinal properties of the natural drug.

Federal cops regularly raid clinics, buyers clubs and sick peoples homes in states where medical marijuana has the support of the majority of the residents. State laws approving medical marijuana have been voted on and approved by the people of 1/4 of our nations states in the last ten years. Starting with California’s passage of the famous Prop.215, eleven other states followed suit with New Mexico being the latest in 2007. You would think the Feds would respect the voters wishes.

One of the victims of this war on medicine is Craig Canada. A homeless man who once had a good job, home and future…and the State of California’s permission to use medicine not approved by the big drug companies. The raid on his home was the beginning of his homelessness and poverty. The despicable laws against one of creations plants changed his life and he is not the only one. He is now an activist for medical rights as well as for homeless peoples needs. Check out his site in my blogroll. Palm Springs Bum it is called.

Big Pharm doesn’t want the weed to be considered therapy. I have personally experienced the effects the drug companies have in everyday lives of people. After my spinal injury in 2000 i was put on Oxycontin. Oxycodone is highly addictive as well as harmful to the kidneys, liver and mind. In 2006, in an attempt to reduce the intake of drugs, I had a morphine pump implanted with a small dose flowing to my spine a little at a time. The horrors of the morphine addiction seemed worse than the Oxy’s I had gotten off of. By May of 2007 I was weaned from the morphine. Occasionally I may take a few puffs on a pipe and it helps. A lot. I can relax, enjoy those around me and most important sleep.

I may be getting a prescription for it soon. My doctor has proposed it to me and I am considering it. The drawback to that is the way New Mexico’s MMJ patients have been treated since the laws were passed and their doctors recommended it as a treatment. Raids and arrests of disabled people are way too common here. I don’t want to become another one of their victims. A prescription will register me as a weed user and thats a headache I don’t want to add to the already existing pain. I would rather be hurting than spend time in their jails for a flower Mother Nature gave us.

Here is a link to a story written by a middle aged woman who smoked weed as a comfort during her chemotherapytreatment for cancer. It’s just one persons experience but I think it is all too common.

http://cannabisnews.com/news/23/thread23565.shtml

I will be writing a lot about medical marijuana in this blog. If I can open just one persons eyes to the benefits of weed for many hurting, sick and dying people all of my ranting will be worth it.